1.24 lakh students enroll in schools without religion or caste in Kerala

April 2, 2018, 12:10 pm

Setting a new benchmark for secularism amid the rise in religious intolerance elsewhere in the country, Kerala has registered a impressive number of 'secular' students in its schools. According to Kerala government figures, more than 1.24 lakh students registered themselves as not belonging to any particular religion or caste in the academic year 2017-18.

In a written reply in the state assembly, Kerala education minister Professor C Ravindranath said this year, a record 1.24 lakh students in the state left the caste and religion columns blank at the time of admission. According to the figures, while 1,23,630 students between classes 1 and 10 stated they had no caste or religion, the number of such students in classes 11 and 12 were 278 and 239, respectively.

“This figure is proof to the secular texture of Kerala society,” the minister said. The records show that over the years, in Kerala there has been an increase in the number of people declaring themselves non-religious and letting their children choose their religion when they grow up.

Some of the high profile names who have taken such steps include CPIM MP MB Rajesh and Congress MLA VT Balram. ISL Kerala Blasters footballer CK Vineeth too had recently made news after he wrote NIL in his newborn son's religion column.

Vineeth said, his son was free to choose any religion once he grows up.